Beverage container receptacle and clamp

ABSTRACT

A device for holding beverage containers, such as cans, bottles and glasses, in an upright position, mountable on an inclined tubular section such as a golf cart handle or a boat railing. A beverage container receptacle is detachably connected by clip means to angularly adjustable clamp means of the invention. The clamp is adjustable to mount on a tubular section of any given angular inclination, while clip means are rigidly secured relative to the clamp and depend downward therefrom, thereby maintaining the beverage container receptacle in a generally vertical orientation. The beverage container receptacle is free swinging relative to the clip means, so that upon jarring or tilting of the tubular section, the receptacle will tend to maintain a vertical orientation.

Ernie ttes atet 1 Wintz [54] BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECEPTACLE AND CLAMP[75] Inventor: Donald E. Wintz, St. Paul, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Aladdin Manufacturing Company, Minneapolis, Minn.

[22] Filed: Oct. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 191,616

[52] 11.8. C1 ..248/224, 220/19, 248/226 R, 248/291, 248/311, 248/314,248/284 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6m 13/02 [58] Field of Search ..248/40, 42, 43,224, 248/229, 291, 311, 313, 226 R, 284

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,269,683 8/1966 Shinaver..248/311 X 2,759,620 8/1956 Pharris ..248/291 X 2,893,675 7/1959 Smithet al. .....248/311 X 2,210,235 8/1940 Filbert ..248/224 X 2,926,8793/1960 Dietrich 248/224 UX 2,995,333 8/1961 Pazzano ..248/311 UX 599,4092/1898 Walker ..248/229 1,690,491 1 1/1928 Knauff ..248/229 1,349,3128/1920 Barrett ..248/291 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 362,8148/1962 Switzerland ..248/224 Primary ExaminerWilliam H. SchultzAttorneys-L. Paul Burd, Richard O. Bartz, William A. Braddock and RobertW. Gutenkauf [57] ABSTRACT A device for holding beverage containers,such as cans, bottles and glasses, in an upright position, mountable onan inclined tubular section such as a golf cart handle or a boatrailing. A beverage container receptacle is detachably connected by clipmeans to angularly adjustable clamp means of the invention. The clamp isadjustable to mount on a tubular section of any given angularinclination,,while clip means are rigidly secured relative to the clampand depend downward therefrom, thereby maintaining the beveragecontainer receptacle in a generally vertical orientation. The beveragecontainer receptacle is free swinging relative to the clip means, sothat upon jarring or tilting of the tubular section, the receptacle willtend to maintain a vertical orientation.

11 Claims, Drawing Figures BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECEPTACLE AND CLAMPBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At the present time there is available onthe market a beverage holder for use in boats which is comprised of awire retainer or basket suspended from a bracket, as described in U. S.Pat. No. 2,893,675. The bracket is permanently mounted on a portion ofthe boat. The retainer is releasably suspended from the bracket and isfree swinging relative to the bracket. The bracket is fastened to theboat by screws or the like, and may not be conveniently moved from placeto place. The angular orientation of the bracket is not adjustable, andthe bracket is not adapted to be removably mounted on tubular sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a beverageholder generally of the type described above having a clamp for mountingon a tubular section such as a golf cart handle or a pontoon boatrailing, where the participant in a sport or activity may haveconvenient access to his beverage. The clamp is conveniently andremovably mounted on a tubular section notwithstanding any angularinclination of the section. A beverage container receptacle isreleasably mounted to the clamp by coacting clip means. A hanger plateis pivotally attached to the clamp and is angularly adjustable relativeto the clamp so as to be adjustable to a generally vertical orientationdespite an angular mounting of the clamp. Small projections or fingerson the hanger plate coact with a plurality of holes on the clamp tosecure the hanger plate in the selected position relative to the clamp.Attached to the hanger plate is a first portion of the clip means. Asecond mating portion of the clip means is attached to a beveragecontainer receptacle, whereby the receptacle may be attached to theclamp but is readily removable for storage or use at another location.The beverage container receptacle is adapted to swing freely relative tothe hanger plate, whereby upon jarring or tilting of the tubularsection, the receptacle maintains the beverage container in a generallyupright position, thus preventing spillage.

An object of the invention is to provide a beverage holder which may beconveniently assembled to a tubular member. A second object of theinvention is to provide a beverage holder having a beverage containerreceptacle adjustable to a downward orientation despite any angularinclination of the tubular member to which the beverage holder isassembled. A further object of the invention is to provide a beverageholder having a beverage container receptacle adapted to swing freelyfrom the clamp portion of the beverage holder and readily removable fromthe clamp portion of the beverage holder for storage or use at anotherlocation.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the beverage holder ofthe invention in assembled relationship to a tubular member;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the adjustable clamp of theinvention, taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1; 7

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the clamp of theinvention taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two elements of the beverage holder ofthe invention shown in unassembled, spaced relationship for purposes ofillustration.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,there is shown in FIG. 1 the adjustable beverage holder of the inventionin assembled relationship to an elongated member or tubular section 12.The tubular section 12 could be, for example, a portion of the handle ofa golf cart or a portion of the railing of a pontoon boat, or a likelocation to provide the participant in a sport or activity convenientaccess to his beverage.

The adjustable beverage holder of the invention includes a beveragecontainer receptacle removably assembled by clip means to angularlyadjustable clamp means. The beverage container receptacle depends fromthe adjustable clamp means and is adapted to swivel freely relative tothe clamp means whereby upon jarring, rocking, tilting or the like ofthe tubular support member, the receptacle will maintain a generallydownward orientation to prevent spillage of the beverage.

The beverage container receptacle of the device is of the type describedin U. S. Pat. No. 2,893,675 for receiving glasses, bottles, cups, etc.and is constituted as a basket consisting of a plurality of uprightparallel wire support members shown as first and second U-shapedmembers, denoted l4 and 15 respectively, in perpendicular relationshipto each other. Vertically spaced, circular elements 17 encircle theU-shaped members 14 and 15 and are attached, as by welding, to the U-shaped members at points of contact. Horizontal bases of the U-shapedmembers engage with each other at the vertical center of the retainer,forming a base for the receptacle. The legs of the U-shaped membersextend vertically upward in equally spaced relation, at apart as shown.The legs of first U-shaped member 14 terminate at an uppermost circularelement 17. The legs of second U-shaped member 15 extend above those ofthe member 14 and terminate in outwardly extended end portions 18.

At the base of the receptacle, there is provided an adjustable insert19, of the type described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,184,201, for theaccommodation of glasses of different sizes. Insert 19 comprises a flatplate having notches to selectively engage the upright support membersand annular rings of receptacle 13.

A semi-circular bracket 20 has oppositely disposed arcuate arms 21, 21.The end portions 18 of the U- shaped member 15 rotatably engage therespective end portions of the arms 21, 21 of the bracket 20, wherebythe receptacle l3 swings freely in a first vertical plane with respectto the bracket 20. At the center of the bracket 20, midway between thearms 21, 21, a first portion of clip means or a clip member 23 ispivotally fastened to the bracket 20 by a pivot pin 24, whereby thereceptacle l3 swings freely in a second vertical plane perpendicular tothe first vertical plane. Clip member 23, opposite the pivot pin 24, hasa generally flat back portion and has outwardly extended verticalparallel shoulders 25, 25 on either side. A pair of arms 26, 26symmetrically extend still further outward from the top portions of therespective shoulders 25, 25.

The angularly adjustable clamp means of the invention includes aninverted U-shaped member or collar 27 having a first leg 28 and a secondleg 29, which legs engage or straddle the tubular portion 12. While thecollar portion 27 is shown to have a rounded U-shaped base, it isunderstood that the shape of the collar could be altered to accommodateelongated members having other than a circular cross section withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

Fastened to the second leg 29 of collar 27 and depending therefrom is aplate member or hanger plate 31. The legs 28 and 29 of collar 27 areprovided with mutually aligned holes. A bolt 32 passes through a squarehole 35 provided in the upper portion of the hanger plate 31, and thencethrough the mutually aligned holes in the legs of the collar 27, therebyfastening the hanger plate to the collar. Bolt 32 has a square portionon the shank which engages the square hole 35 of the hanger plate 31 toprevent rotation of the bolt with respect to the plate. A wing nut 36 isthreaded to the end of the bolt 32 outboard of the first leg 28.

The second leg 29 of collar 27 has a plurality of small circular holes38 symmetrically arranged in a circular pattern about the round hole 34.The holes 38 are relatively arranged in like quadrate sets, each holehaving a corresponding hole 180 opposite and holes 90 to either side.The hanger plate 31 has four inwardly facing, small projections orfingers 39 symmetrically spaced in a quadrate set about the square hole35. The relative spacing of the fingers 39 corresponds to the relativespacing of the holes 38. When the hanger plate 31 is brought into matingcontact with the collar 27, the tingers 39 engage a selected quadrateset of holes 38 according to the desired angular position of the hangerplate 31 relative to the collar 27. The bolt 32 and wing nut 36 functionas bias means to bias the fingers 39 in engagement with the selectedholes 38. As best seen by FIG. 3, upon tightening of the wing nut 36 onthe bolt 32, the fingers 39 are securely positioned in the selected setof holes 38, thus securing the hanger plate in the desired positionrelative to the collar. If the nut 36 is tightened to an extent causingthe legs 28 and 29 to converge as when the tubular member has a smallerdiameter than shown, one of the fingers 39 above the bolt 32 may becomedisengaged from the hole 38. Nonetheless, the remaining fingers belowthe bolt 32 will hold the hanger plate 31 securely in place. The hangerplate 31 may be adjusted to a different angular position relative to theclamp simply by loosening the bolt 36 until the fingers 39 are disngagedfrom the holes 38. The hanger plate is then adjusted to the desiredposition, and the wing nut 36 is again tightened.

A mating portion of the clip means or the clip retaining means islocated on the lower portion of the hanger plate 31. The clip retainingmeans includes a pair of elongated retaining members 41, 42symmetrically fastened to the hanger plate 31 in generally parallelrelationship but converging slightly in a downward direction. Eachretaining member 41, 42 has an angular or stepped cross section, havinga first portion extending outward from the plate 31, and a secondportion extending parallel to the plate 31 toward the opposite retainingmember. The respective second portions of the retaining members and thesurface of the plate 31 define slots of sufficient depth to accommodatethe shoulders 25, 25 of the clip member 23. The pair of slots define aconverging channel into which the clip member 23 is insertable. The topportion of the channel is of sufficient width to admit the back andshoulder portions of the clip member 23. The channel converges to awidth where the clip member 23 is frictionally restrained from furthermovement in the channel. A nub 43 is provided on hanger plate 31 at thebottom of the channel in location to contact the bottom edge of clipmember 23 when restrained in said channel.

In the use of the invention, the clamp 27 is mounted on a tubularsection, such as a golf cart handle, a lawn mower handle, a lawn chair,or a pontoon boat railing, by placing the collar 28 on the section andassembling to it the hanger plate 31, the bolt 32, and the wing nut 36.The hanger plate 31 is adjusted relative to the collar 28 to dependgenerally downward. The wing nut 36 is tightened to secure the clamp andhanger plate in place. The beverage container receptacle is assembled tothe clamp by inserting the clip member 23 in the channel of the clipretaining means, the converging channel frictionally retains the clipmember 23. The arms 26, 26 of the shoulders 25, 25 rest on the top edgesof the clip retaining members 41, 42 to further support the clip member23. Additionally, the bottom edge of clip member 23 rests on thenub 43.The beverage container receptacle may be readily removed for storage oruse at another location.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A beverage container holder for mounting on an elongated member,including: a beverage container receptacle; clip means including firstand second portions; means pivotally attaching the receptacle to thefirst portion of the clip means; a plate member; said second portion ofclip means attached to the plate member, said first portion and saidsecond portion of clip means cooperable to releasably hold thereceptacle; clamp means having a pair of legs engageable with saidelongated member; angular adjusting means having a first portion locatedon a leg of said clamp means and a second portion located on said platemember; one portion of angular adjusting means including a plurality ofspaced holes symmetrically arranged in a circular pattern; the otherportion of angular adjusting means including at least two projectionsengageable with at least one pair of selected holes disposed oppositeeach other in said circular pattern; and bias means releasably biasingsaid projections in engagement with said pair of holes.

2. The beverage container holder of claim 1 wherein: said beveragecontainer receptacle is freely swinging relative to the first portion ofthe clip means.

3. The beverage container holder of claim 2 wherein said beveragecontainer receptacle includes: a basket having a plurality of annularrings vertically spaced and attached to at least one pair ofdiametrically opposite upright parallel wire support members, and abracket pivotally connected to the upper end portions of a pair of thewire support members, said bracket pivotally attached to the firstportion of clip means.

4. The beverage container holder of claim 1 wherein: the first portionof angular adjusting means includes a plurality of sets of holesarranged in a circular pattern; the second portion of angular adjustingmeans includes a quadrant of projections engageable with a selected setof said holes; and bias means includes means operative to releasablybias said set of projections in engagement with said set of holes.

5. The beverage container holder of claim 4 wherein: said clamp meansincludes a U-shaped collar having a pair of legs adapted to straddlesaid elongated member; said sets of holes are disposed on one of saidlegs; and said bias means includes a bolt passing through a bolt holeprovided in the plate member and through a bolt hole provided in thecenter of the circular pattern of sets of holes, and a nut threadablyengaging the end of the bolt.

6. The beverage container holder of claim 1 wherein: said first portionof clip means includes a clip member having a generally flat backportion and outwardly extended vertical shoulders; and said secondportion of clip means is constituted as a pair of elongated angularmembers forming a downwardly converging channel releasably retaining theclip member.

7. A beverage container holder for mounting on a tubular memberincluding: a beverage container receptacle comprising a basket having aplurality of annular rings vertically spaced and attached to at leastone pair of diametrically opposite upright parallel wire supportmembers; a bracket pivotally connected to the upper end portions of apair of the wire support members whereby the basket is rotatable in afirst vertical plane relative to the bracket; clip means including firstand second portions; said bracket pivotally attached to the firstportion of clip means, rotatable relative to the first portion of clipmeans in a second vertical plane perpendicular to said first verticalplane; said first portion of clip means including a clip member having agenerally fiat back portion and outwardly extended vertical shoulders; aclamp constituted as a U-shaped collar and a plate member, said collarhaving a pair of legs adapted to straddle a tubular member, said legsprovided with mutually aligned holes; said plate member pivotallyfastened to the collar adjacent a leg of the collar by a bolt passingthrough a hole provided in the plate member and through the mutuallyaligned holes of the legs; a nut threaded to the bolt; said plate havinga plurality of inwardly facing projections; said leg adjacent the platehaving a plurality of sets of angularly spaced holes, said projectionsbeing successively engageable with selected sets of said holes uponrotation of the plate member with respect to the collar, saidprojections being secured in a selected set of holes when the nut istightened; said plate member providing the second portion of clip meansconstituted as a pair of elongated angular members attached to the platemember forming a downwardly converging channel releasably retaining theclip member.

8. A beverage container holder for mounting on an elongated member,including: a beverage container receptacle; clip means including firstand second portions; said receptable including a basket having aplurality of annular rings vertically spaced and attached to at leastone pair of diametrically opposite upright parallel wire supportmembers, and a bracket pivotally connected to the upper end portions ofa pair of the wire support members, said bracket pivotally attached tothe first portion of clip means whereby said beverage containerreceptacle is freely swinging relative to the first portion of the clipmeans; an adjustable insert comprised of a flat plate selectivelyengageable with one of said annular rings; a plate member; secondportion of clip means attached to the plate member; said first portionand said second portion of clip means cooperable to releasably hold thereceptacle; a clamp engageable with said elongated member; angularadjusting means including first and second portions; said clampproviding said first portion of angular adjusting means; said platemember providing said second portion of angular adjusting means; oneportion of angular adjusting means including a plurality of spaced holesin angular relationship to one another; the other portion of angularadjusting means including at least one projection engageable with aselected hole of the plurality of holes; and bias means releasablybiasing said projection in engagement with said hole.

9. A beverage container holder for mounting on an elongated member,including: a beverage container receptacle; clip means including firstand second portions; means pivotally attaching the receptacle to thefirst portion of clip means; a plate member; said second portion of clipmeans attached to the plate member; said first portion and said secondportion of clip means cooperable to releasably hold the receptacle;clamp means engageable with said elongated member; fastening meansoperative to fasten said clamp means to said elongated member; angularadjusting means having a first portion located on said clamp means and asecond portion located on said plate member; one portion of angularadjusting means including a plurality of spaced holes in angularrelationship to one another; the other portion of angular adjustingmeans including at least one projection engageable with a selected holeof the plurality of holes; said fastening means adapted to bias saidprojection in engagement with said hole when operative to fasten saidclamp means to said elongated member.

10. The beverage container holder of claim 9 wherein said meanspivotally attaching the receptacle to the first portion of the clipmeans includes: a bracket pivotally connected to the upper portion ofthe receptacle whereby the receptacle is rotatable in a first verticalplane relative to the bracket; said bracket pivotally attached to thefirst portion of clip means, rotatable relative to the first portion ofclip means in a second vertical plane perpendicular to said firstvertical plane.

11. The beverage container holder of claim 9 wherein: the first portionof angular adjusting means includes a plurality of sets of holesarranged in a circular pattern; the second portion of angular adjustingmeans includes a set of projections engageable with a selected set ofsaid holes; and said fastening means is adapted to releasably bias saidset of projections in engagement with said set of holes when operativeto fasten said clamp means to said elongated member.

1. A beverage container holder for mounting on an elongated member,including: a beverage container receptacle; clip means including firstand second portions; means pivotally attaching the receptacle to thefirst portion of the clip means; a plate member; said second portion ofclip means attached to the plate member, said first portion and saidsecond portion of clip means cooperable to releasably hold thereceptacle; clamp means having a pair of legs engageable with saidelongated member; angular adjusting means having a first portion locatedon a leg of said clamp means and a second portion located on said platemember; one portion of angular adjusting means including a plurality ofspaced holes symmetrically arranged in a circular pattern; the otherportion of angular adjusting means including at least two projectionsengageable with at least one pair of selected holes disposed oppositeeach other in said circular pattern; and bias means releasably biasingsaid projections in engagement with said pair of holes.
 2. The beveragecontainer holder of claim 1 wherein: said beverage container receptacleis freely swinging relative to the first portion of the clip means. 3.The beverage container holder of claim 2 wherein said beverage containerreceptacle includes: a basket having a plurality of annular ringsvertically spaced and attached to at least one pair of diametricallyopposite upright parallel wire support members, and a bracket pivotallyconnected to the upper end portions of a pair of the wire supportmembers, said bracket pivotally attached to the first portion of clipmeans.
 4. The beverage container holder of claim 1 wherein: the firstportion of angular adjusting means includes a plurality of sets of holesarranged in a circular pattern; the second portion of angular adjustingmeans includes a quadrant of projections engageable with a selected setof said holes; and bias means includes means operative to releasablybias said set of projections in engagement with said set of holes. 5.The beverage container holder of claim 4 wherein: said clamp meansincludes a U-shaped collar having a pair of legs adapted to straddlesaid elongated member; said sets of holes are disposed on one of saidlegs; and said bias means includes a bolt passing through a bolt holeprovided in the plate member and through a bolt hole provided in thecenter of the circular pattern of sets of holes, and a nut threadablyengaging the end of the bolt.
 6. The beverage container holder of claim1 wherein: said first portion of clip means includes a clip memberhaving a generally flat back portion and outwardly extended verticalshoulders; and said second portion of clip means is constituted as apair of elongated angular members forming a downwardly convergingchannel releasably retaining the clip meMber.
 7. A beverage containerholder for mounting on a tubular member including: a beverage containerreceptacle comprising a basket having a plurality of annular ringsvertically spaced and attached to at least one pair of diametricallyopposite upright parallel wire support members; a bracket pivotallyconnected to the upper end portions of a pair of the wire supportmembers whereby the basket is rotatable in a first vertical planerelative to the bracket; clip means including first and second portions;said bracket pivotally attached to the first portion of clip means,rotatable relative to the first portion of clip means in a secondvertical plane perpendicular to said first vertical plane; said firstportion of clip means including a clip member having a generally flatback portion and outwardly extended vertical shoulders; a clampconstituted as a U-shaped collar and a plate member, said collar havinga pair of legs adapted to straddle a tubular member, said legs providedwith mutually aligned holes; said plate member pivotally fastened to thecollar adjacent a leg of the collar by a bolt passing through a holeprovided in the plate member and through the mutually aligned holes ofthe legs; a nut threaded to the bolt; said plate having a plurality ofinwardly facing projections; said leg adjacent the plate having aplurality of sets of angularly spaced holes, said projections beingsuccessively engageable with selected sets of said holes upon rotationof the plate member with respect to the collar, said projections beingsecured in a selected set of holes when the nut is tightened; said platemember providing the second portion of clip means constituted as a pairof elongated angular members attached to the plate member forming adownwardly converging channel releasably retaining the clip member.
 8. Abeverage container holder for mounting on an elongated member,including: a beverage container receptacle; clip means including firstand second portions; said receptable including a basket having aplurality of annular rings vertically spaced and attached to at leastone pair of diametrically opposite upright parallel wire supportmembers, and a bracket pivotally connected to the upper end portions ofa pair of the wire support members, said bracket pivotally attached tothe first portion of clip means whereby said beverage containerreceptacle is freely swinging relative to the first portion of the clipmeans; an adjustable insert comprised of a flat plate selectivelyengageable with one of said annular rings; a plate member; secondportion of clip means attached to the plate member; said first portionand said second portion of clip means cooperable to releasably hold thereceptacle; a clamp engageable with said elongated member; angularadjusting means including first and second portions; said clampproviding said first portion of angular adjusting means; said platemember providing said second portion of angular adjusting means; oneportion of angular adjusting means including a plurality of spaced holesin angular relationship to one another; the other portion of angularadjusting means including at least one projection engageable with aselected hole of the plurality of holes; and bias means releasablybiasing said projection in engagement with said hole.
 9. A beveragecontainer holder for mounting on an elongated member, including: abeverage container receptacle; clip means including first and secondportions; means pivotally attaching the receptacle to the first portionof clip means; a plate member; said second portion of clip meansattached to the plate member; said first portion and said second portionof clip means cooperable to releasably hold the receptacle; clamp meansengageable with said elongated member; fastening means operative tofasten said clamp means to said elongated member; angular adjustingmeans having a first portion located on said clamp means and a secondportion located on said plate member; one portion of angular adjustingmeaNs including a plurality of spaced holes in angular relationship toone another; the other portion of angular adjusting means including atleast one projection engageable with a selected hole of the plurality ofholes; said fastening means adapted to bias said projection inengagement with said hole when operative to fasten said clamp means tosaid elongated member.
 10. The beverage container holder of claim 9wherein said means pivotally attaching the receptacle to the firstportion of the clip means includes: a bracket pivotally connected to theupper portion of the receptacle whereby the receptacle is rotatable in afirst vertical plane relative to the bracket; said bracket pivotallyattached to the first portion of clip means, rotatable relative to thefirst portion of clip means in a second vertical plane perpendicular tosaid first vertical plane.
 11. The beverage container holder of claim 9wherein: the first portion of angular adjusting means includes aplurality of sets of holes arranged in a circular pattern; the secondportion of angular adjusting means includes a set of projectionsengageable with a selected set of said holes; and said fastening meansis adapted to releasably bias said set of projections in engagement withsaid set of holes when operative to fasten said clamp means to saidelongated member.